My head hurts. I can’t seem to justify this:

U.S. economic growth fastest in four years

GDP for third quarter steamed ahead at revised 4.9 percent rate

[...] The Commerce Department’s new reading of the gross domestic product from July through September, released Thursday, was even better than the government’s initial estimate of a brisk 3.9 percent growth rate for period. Stronger U.S. exports to overseas buyers and more inventory investment by businesses were the main reasons for the improvement.

…with the following stories.

Mortgage foreclosures up again in October

California, Florida and Nevada remain hardest hit

The number of mortgage foreclosure filings continued to rise in October as hundreds of thousands of Americans struggled with monthly payments they can-t keep up with.

Oil prices soar after deadly fire at pipeline

Fire is along the Enbridge Energy pipeline in northern Minnesota

Oil prices rose more than $3 Thursday after a fire erupted at a pipeline carrying crude oil from Canada to the heart of the United States.

Sears reports a 99 percent drop in profit

Retailer cites weak sales at Sears, Kmart department stores

CHICAGO - Sears Holdings Corp. reported a 99 percent drop in third-quarter profit Thursday on weak sales at its Sears and Kmart department stores and continuing investment losses under hedge-fund manager Chairman Eddie Lampert. Its stock price plummeted on the news.

Weekly U.S. jobless claims rise sharply

Data suggest labor market is softening as economy slows

WASHINGTON - The number of new people signing up for jobless benefits last week jumped sharply, suggesting that the labor market is softening as national economic activity slows.

But, then again, I’ve always been lousy at economics. I understand there’s a difference between short-term and long-term reporting. But we’ve been hearing bad news for quite some time now! Makes no sense.